Orlando City Signs Peruvian International Yoshimar Yotún as Designated Player

Orlando City SC signs attacking midfielder, left back and Peruvian international Yoshimar Yotún as a Designated Player from reigning Allsvenskan champion, Sweden’s top flight, Malmö FF, pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

“We were actively looking to add depth in the midfield during this transfer window and are excited to sign Yoshi,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said. “Yoshi can play as a creative midfielder who can operate both wide and centrally, as well as cover as an attacking left back. He stands out for his passing and creative ability, as well as his versatility to play multiple positions. He is a great fit for our long-term plans and someone we’ve tracked since last year. We are pleased to have finally acquired him.”

Yotún, 27, joins the Lions from Sweden’s most successful club, 22-time Allsvenskan and 14-time Svenska Cupen winner Malmö FF. After joining the Blues in 2015, the Peruvian international made 72 overall appearances, including 10 UEFA Champions League matches, recording three goals and 15 assists. Most recently, Yotún helped Malmö win the 2016 Allsvenskan championship, making 19 appearances and registering six assists.

The Lima, Peru, native featured for Peru at Copa América in 2011 and 2015, where he led his country to third-place finishes, as well as at Copa América Centenario in 2016. Yotún has two goals and seven assists in 64 international appearances with La Blanquirroja.

“We spent a lot of time before and during the transfer window looking at players around the world and Yoshi stuck out to us,” CEO Alex Leitão said. “His wealth of experience from the highest levels of club and international soccer will be an important asset to our team in our push for the playoffs.”

Yotún began his career in his native Peru for Sporting Cristal Lima in 2008, where he made 155 overall appearances, two of them in the 2014 Copa Libertadores against City’s Brazilian partner club, Clube Atlético Paranaense, and notched nine goals and 12 assists. In 2012 and 2014, Yotún won the Primera División del Perú championship and was named the league’s Full Back of the Year. In 2012, he was selected by journalists to Uruguayan newspaper El País’ Equipo Ideal de América, the Americas’ best XI, along with Ronaldinho, Neymar and his countryman, Paolo Guerrero.

Yotún also made 28 appearances and scored three goals with Peru top flight side José Galvez FBC in 2008 and 31 appearances with Brazilian Serie A side CR Vasco da Gama in 2013, both on loan.